The Business Community from Battlegrounds States Speak on Immigration Policy

Richard Herman of Richard T. Herman & Associates, an immigration law firm in Cleveland, Ohio reports that

“The business community in the election battleground Great Lakes states are asking the presidential candidates to make `high skill immigration law reform’ a pillar of a job-creating, economic stimulus package in the next administration. Please see: “Obama and McCain Must Commit to Creating Jobs in Great Lakes States,” Op-Ed, Joe Roman, CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership, October 26, 2008, Cleveland Plain Dealer ” Ohio is a key swing state, and the Cleveland region helps determine how the state vote comes out. That means we have a unique opportunity to promote our priorities and speak with one voice to make sure the candidates hear and understand our message. To add clout, we aligned our efforts with those of the Great Lakes Region Coalition. The coalition is composed of more than 30 metropolitan chambers of commerce – including the GCP – in the 12 Great Lakes states. Our agenda includes a comprehensive immigration policy, shaped by the GCP with input from community partners. We need this policy to help our region attract skilled workers. Collectively, the Great Lakes region, which has 33 percent of the nation’s population and is responsible for 32 percent of the gross national product, represents some of the most politically unpredictable and economically challenged citizens in the nation…. The agenda that the GCP and the Great Lakes Region Coalition are advancing includes: Adopting a comprehensive immigration policy that can help bring talent to the region’s metropolitan areas. Diversifying the region’s economy by boosting innovation and entrepreneurialism…. These recommendations are necessary steps the federal government must take if the nation’s economy, that of its heartland and Northeast Ohio are to thrive in the global marketplace. Over the past 30 years, targeted investments of this scale have helped other regions in the nation grow – often at our expense. The realities of a worldwide economy require a dramatically different approach from Washington in dealing with the tough challenges facing Northeast Ohio and other metropolitan areas in the Great Lakes region. Both presidential candidates must listen to those who represent the job providers on the frontlines of global competition. As our president for at least the next four years, the winner of this election must deliver on many of these agenda items, if economic prosperity is to be achieved and sustained. Roman is president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.” http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/othercolumns/index.ssf?/base/opinion/122492366886970.xml&coll=2

For a detailed reading of the High-Skill Immigration Policy recommendations from the Great Lakes Region, please also see: “A Business Agenda for Economic Transformation in the Great Lakes Region.” http://www.detroitchamber.com/docs/bizagenda.pdf

Of the report’s top five priorities, #3 is a federal immigration policy that allows the Great Lakes region to attract and retain the job-creating immigrant high-skill talent, entrepreneurship and capital.

Congratulations to the Greater Cleveland Partnership for taking the lead in formulating the immigration policy initiatives in the report which has been adopted by commerce chambers in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Columbus, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Toledo, N. Kentucky, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, etc.”

KJ